Grieving mom challenges Mbeki
2003-10-22 08:09
Johannesburg - President Thabo Mbeki and the government will be challenged on November 30 to account publicly for the crime wave in South Africa that has turned into "genocide".
If the government does not agree to this, a Johannesburg woman has promised to sue the president for the ruthless murder of her 20-year-old son four months ago.
Six hijackers pulled Ivanne Vince-Jillings from his dilapidated car in Edenvale, Johannesburg, on June 22.
Although he had his hands in the air, one of the hijackers shot him at point-blank range after the victim had handed over his car, cellphone, wallet and watch.
"Police found Ivanne's car two weeks after the hijacking in Alexandra (north of Johannesburg).
Mattheau (her eldest son) had to go to identify the car and then drive the blood-smeared vehicle back because there were not enough policemen to do so," said Mrs Vince-Jillings.
"He (Mattheau) was terribly traumatised. Now he can't get up to go to work in the mornings. Our lives have been destroyed."
Compelled to launch campaign
Mrs Vince-Jillings said three different police officials had investigated the murder.
"It's four months later and I still don't know what happened to my child's murderer."
Police spokesperson Nomsa Sekele said the case was still being investigated and no arrests had been made.
The tragedy compelled Mrs Vince-Jillings to launch the AL-IVE Campaign against violent crime.
She hopes to mobilise as many people, victims of crime and crime-fighting groups, as possible to form a pressure group and take the government to task.
Will offer solutions, too
"The government must explain why crime is at this level. Crime is wiping us out. It is genocide and the government is not doing anything."
The AL-IVE Campaign has permission to stage a protest march in Johannesburg on November 30 and hand over the challenge to Mbeki and the government, to take part in a public forum on crime, to a member of parliament.
"Peaceful" solutions to crime will also be handed over.
Mrs Vince-Jillings said: "The only way I can try to assuage my son's murder is to protect other lives. I'll stay in South Africa for another two years to try and make a difference. If nothing changes, I'll leave."
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